Hi Everyone!
Little background on why I’m here posting for Sasha while she’s on Holiday. Sasha and I met initially on a site she was giving a workshop on, and I, of course, loved her books, so…. Through a loop we got to know each other and she gave an open request for some help. I’m sure all of you have read the below poem in Most Wanted—well, we worked together to get it right. Finally meeting for the first time in Orlando at the RT Convention, which was so AWESOME. (Yes, I felt like a groupie – authors are my rock stars).
Jack & Jill Chase after their thrills, to see who gets on top
Jack goes down and Jill doesn’t frown, even when she’s under the cop
Jack is hard but also on guard, as Jill takes all control
He’ll take the spanks and always say thanks, especially if it gets him parole
This isn’t a tourney but a sexual journey, together they’ll be in luck
Jack and Jill use leather as tether, its good they both like to fuck
Jack lets go and Jill starts to glow, no longer a matter of trust.
It’s time to play, and this time with more than just lust.
Laurie Kapkowksi / Sabrina Pugliese
I’m an author—or rather a struggling one. Sasha has graciously given me her time and knowledge, but ultimately the end result comes down to me. This business isn’t an easy one. And it’s also the only one where you don’t get a job well done pat on the back, or sometimes not even a by your leave for work you’ve put blood, sweat and tears into.
This business is not for the weak.
As someone who has written her entire life, but never had the nerve to send anything off until about three years ago, my eyes were certainly opened.
I’ve learned a lot about myself these past few years. And I’ve learned some things no workshop will ever be able to teach you, until you’re in the mix of this business. Here are some of them:
I can take rejection letters, as long as I’m allowed to grieve for 24 hours after it’s received. After copious amounts of alcohol, pizza and chocolate it’s time to get off my ass and get back on the horse (or keyboard).
I can take criticism, because I want to be a better writer, but will fight to keep things I believe in.
You have to read to write. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
I don’t have to write in complete sentences.
Just because you type “The End” doesn’t mean it’s done. *sigh*
You don’t have to be a great writer—just persistent. Although my personal note: strive for greatness! I know I don’t want to be a one book wonder.
Not all critiques need to be taken. It’s my work after all. Some things might not be the norm—but who wants to be normal? Not me. And for new writers, this one is essential to learn!
There are more politics to the world of writing than I ever knew about, or care about, but I need to know about them.
It’s okay to have voices in my head. And answer them!
And I’ve learned I can actually sit in one place for 7 hours or more and only get up to pee, and get more coffee.
Old and new writers I want to hear from you. What did you learn on the way up? What are you learning now? I dig short-cuts and if there’s an easy way for anything in this business – I WANT TO KNOW!
So let me have it….
Hugs
XOXO
LKap
Laurie Kapkowski
Laurie, great post, love the poem! I’ve learned to look at the publishing business as a business. Because that is what it is. A business. Keep that in mind when you query agents submit proposals and accept deals. And also this is *your* business, no one else’s. Listen your gut. It’s never wrong. If it stinks that’s because there is something rotten somewhere. Walk away from it.
While my only connection to the “business” is as a reader, I’ve read a lot of advice from writer to writer over the last year or so, thanks to the Wicked Writers group. The main things I’ve come away with are exactly what Karin said above, and that “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”, meaning that you earn what you put into it. It’s that way in the music world, too. “One-album (book) wonders” are plentiful, but the ones that you remember are the ones who work their tails off, perfecting their art as much as possible.
I also totally agree with Karin about the poem – it’s great!!
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!!
Later,
Lynn
Hi there Laurie! Great to meet you!
First of all, I thought the poem was so unique and original, I totally loved it
Thank you for taking the time to share your journey with us, I really appreciate it when writers (non-published and published) share their struggles with others.
Personally, I’m struggling with many issues writing the story – trying to not think about the difficulties of publishing as of right now. After I committed to “the” story that I would ultimately try and finish and submit to an epub, the journey of writing took on a whole new turn. Plot, characters, flow, dialogue, story… I learned a lot, although I’m currently editing the second draft of this story. Since it’s my first adult romantic short story, I have to say my biggest problem is doubting myself, considering a hundred different scenarios for each scene, and changing things a thousand times over. I’ve learned that a strength of mine (which I would have never thought would benefit my writing) is doing an outline, writing a chapter, doing an outline for the next chapter, and so on… I never thought I would be an outline kind of girl, but there it is.
Sometimes, when a scene is not jiving with me, I actually will stop typing, go back to my big yellow legal pad, and just WRITE. It helps a lot breaking through the block, because ultimately I have more courage – no one is gonna see my scrap paper with ideas, etc., thus, I write more bravely. However, this “system” is working for me, just taking looooong! I know you have to work fast, write fast, think of ideas fast if you want to be a successful writer for epubs, so hopefully this process of mine will be quicker, and / or, I will develop more tricks along the way.
Thanks for letting me share and inviting others to do so. Can’t wait to read all the responses to this post. Good luck in all of your writing and I have faith I will see your work completed in print one day!
Yaz
P.S. I totally agree – authors are TOTAL Rock Stars!!
Thanks everyone for stopping by – sorry I’m so late getting back – crazy Holiday weekend.
Karin – Your advice is as always spot on. This is a business first and foremost! Thank you for the reminder as I do tend to forget that.
Lynn – Readers like you are why we try and do this business. And as far as a free lunch – well my luck has never been that good. So it’s a good thing I don’t mind hard work
Yaz – Thanks so much for coming by. Keep up the good work and if there were any advice I could give it would be to NOT question everything. Trust in yourself, learn the trade and the business and the rest will follow. Good Luck!
I’m glad you all liked the poem
Happy Holiday!!!!
Laurie K